Amazing Grace on the Wilderness Road

The Heritage Alliance, in cooperation with the International Storytelling Center, will host a free evening of history and discussion surrounding the life and legacy of John Newton, writer of the popular Christian hymn “Amazing Grace”.  Amazing Grace on the Wilderness Road featuring Marylynn Rouse from the John Newton Project will take place at the International Storytelling Center on April 10 at 7 p.m.

Amazing Grace on the Wilderness Road  will focus on Newton’s life and conversion from a captain of English slave trading vessels in the 1770s, to a devote cleric and hymn composer who became a prominent supporter of the abolition of slavery.  Newton’s battle to put an end to England’s involvement with the Atlantic slave trade came to a head in 1807, the same year as his death. Leading thinkers in America were struggling with the issue of slavery during this same time period and Newton’s influence can be seen here as casino well. In Jonesborough, never the scene of a large enslaved population, his influence is most evident in Elihu Embree’s publication, “The Emancipator”.

Amazing Grace on the Wilderness Road will provide additional context for the larger world view surrounding the battle to abolish slavery and Jonesborough’s stance on the issue during that time.

Amazing Grace on the Wilderness Road is a free, ticketed event. Tickets are available at The International Storytelling Center. As seating is limited, advanced tickets are encouraged. For more information on this program, please contact the Heritage Alliance at 423.753.9580 or visit www.heritageall.org.

Amazing Grace on the Wilderness Road in Jonesborough on the 10th will coincide with the U.S. premiere of the musical event, “Handel’s Messiah: A Celebration of God’s Amazing Grace” taking place at Milligan College on April 12th and April 13th. This event will include multiple choirs from throughout the area. Tickets are available by contacting the Milligan College bookstore at 423.461.8733.

 

Discovering Pathways to Archival Research

There”s still room and time left to register for the Discovering Pathways to Archival Research Symposium taking place on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26.  Click to see the front and inside of the brochure for the two casino online day program.  Topics will include “Beginning Land Platting”, “Finding Your Landless Ancestors”, “Peeking Behind the Scenes of the Tennessee State Library and Archives” and much, much more!  To register for the conference, please click here for the official registration form.  More information on this amazing event and fundraiser for the Friends of the Washington County, Tennessee Archives can be found at http://washingtoncountytnarchives.wordpress.com/events/.

Register now!  You won”t want to miss this amazing opportunity!

A Sojourn in Jonesborough – Original Play Premiere on March 27th!!!

It’s 1856 and you’re stuck with your family on vacation in a small town called Jonesborough . . . what in the world are you going to do?  Annette Broadacre and her family are on a journey south for the winter.  When they reach Jonesborough, the women of the family elect to stay behind, while the men continue on to Roan Mountain.  But what can Jonesborough possibly have to offer a young woman who’s accustomed to much larger cities?  Will the town win her over and change her perceptions?  And what kind of gossip, legends, and stories will she pick up on the streets of Tennessee’s oldest town?  Find out on March 27th at 7:00 PM with the premier of A Sojourn in Jonesborough.

A Sojourn in Jonesborough Publicity Shot  Photo by Peter Montanti of Mountain Photographics, Inc.

This one-woman play, written by Anne G’Fellers-Mason, will perform at the International Storytelling Center March 27th at 7:00 PM, followed by refreshments, music, and a talk-back session with the playwright.  Tickets are $10.00 per person, and proceeds will help further the mission online casino of the Heritage Alliance.  Seating is limited in the storytelling theater. Advance tickets are recommended and are available by phone at 423.753.9580, by email at info@heritageall.org, and in person at the Heritage Alliance office at 212 East Sabin Drive in Jonesborough.

A Sojourn in Jonesborough is based on a serial story that ran in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine from 1857-1858.  An enjoyable mix of humor and fact, the piece received rave reviews from its past performances, but this will be the play’s premiere event for the larger public.  You won’t want to miss this spectacular evening of entertainment!